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Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Beer Birthday: Spike Buckowski

February 19, 2023 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 56th birthday of Brian “Spike” Buckowski, co-founder of Terrapin Beer Co. in Athens, Georgia. They first made a name for themselves at GABF that first year with their Rye Pale Ale, but a few years later their Hopsecutioner IPA became their flagship. I’m pretty sure we’d run to one another at events over the years, but I got to know him better while judging in South Africa last year. And unsurprisingly, he’s a great person and terrific ambassador for good beer. Join me in wishing Spike a very happy birthday.

Spike and me in South Africa in 2022.
The American judges at 2022’s African Beer Cup: Marty Nachel, Doug Odell, Spike, Pete Slosberg, and me.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: Georgia, United States

Beer Birthday: Mitch Steele

December 31, 2022 By Jay Brooks

new-realm-rectangle
Today is the 61st birthday of Mitch Steele, former production manager/head brewer at Stone Brewing. Mitch started out at the tiny San Andreas Brewery in Hollister, California but spent a number of years at one of the much larger Budweiser breweries when he brewed for Anheuser-Busch, before finding a home at Stone. More recently, he’s left that job to create something of his own, in Atlanta, Georgia. New Realm Brewing opened officially in January of 2018. He’s obviously a terrific brewer but is also a great person and close friend, too. He has been my roomie for GABF judging a couple of years and is also the author of IPA: Brewing Techniques, Recipes and the Evolution of India Pale Ale. He’s a big advocate for craft beer and always willing to help out a fellow brewer or homebrewer. Join me in wishing Mitch a very happy birthday.

cbc07-37
Mitch with Stone co-founder Steve Wagner at the Craft Brewers Conference in 2007.

Mitch Steele, from Stone Brewing, took 3rd for Levitation Ale
Mitch picking up his 3rd Place award on the floor of GABF 2009 for Stone’s Levitation Ale on cask at a special judging at the Great British Beer Festival in 2009 (and which I had the pleasure to judge).

Betsy, Judy Ashworth, Mitch Steele, Brendan Moylan & Bruce Paton
Betsy Hensley, Judy Ashworth, Mitch, Brendan Moylan & Bruce Paton at the Celebrator’s 22nd Anniversary Party.

mitch21a-5
Mitch and 21st Amendment brewer Shaun O’Sullivan practicing their pointing during a collaboration brew in 2008 in San Francisco.

bistro-ipa07-09
Outside the Bistro IPA Festival in 2007 with Publican Judy Ashworth, Former San Andreas Brewing owner Bill Millar, Mitch and Bistro owner Vic Krajl.

george-reisch-mitch-steele
Pete Slosberg, Marty Velas, George Reisch and Mitch at Grillshack Fries and Burgers in Nashville during CBC.

mitch-steele-prom-color
And no birthday post is complete without a blast from the past. Here’s Mitch’s high school prom photo in all its living color glory. It’s from Northgate High School Class of 1980 in Walnut Creek, CA (special thanks to Mitch for updating the old black & white photo with the glorious color one!). Love the powder blue tux.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: Anheuser-Busch, California, Georgia, San Diego

Beer Birthday: Jimmy Carter

October 1, 2022 By Jay Brooks

us-president
Today is the birthday of our 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter (October 1, 1924- ). He “is an American politician and author who served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the Carter Center.

Carter, a Democrat raised in rural Georgia, was a peanut farmer who served two terms as a Georgia State Senator, from 1963 to 1967, and one as the Governor of Georgia, from 1971 to 1975. He was elected President in 1976, defeating incumbent President Gerald Ford in a relatively close election; the Electoral College margin of 57 votes was the closest at that time since 1916.”

j-carter
The White House website also has a series of presidential biographies, from “The Presidents of the United States of America,” by Frank Freidel and Hugh Sidey:

Jimmy Carter served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. He was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for work to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.

Jimmy Carter aspired to make Government “competent and compassionate,” responsive to the American people and their expectations. His achievements were notable, but in an era of rising energy costs, mounting inflation, and continuing tensions, it was impossible for his administration to meet these high expectations.

Carter, who has rarely used his full name–James Earl Carter, Jr.–was born October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. Peanut farming, talk of politics, and devotion to the Baptist faith were mainstays of his upbringing. Upon graduation in 1946 from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Carter married Rosalynn Smith. The Carters have three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff), and a daughter, Amy Lynn.

After seven years’ service as a naval officer, Carter returned to Plains. In 1962 he entered state politics, and eight years later he was elected Governor of Georgia. Among the new young southern governors, he attracted attention by emphasizing ecology, efficiency in government, and the removal of racial barriers.

Carter announced his candidacy for President in December 1974 and began a two-year campaign that gradually gained momentum. At the Democratic Convention, he was nominated on the first ballot. He chose Senator Walter F. Mondale of Minnesota as his running mate. Carter campaigned hard against President Gerald R. Ford, debating with him three times. Carter won by 297 electoral votes to 241 for Ford.

Carter worked hard to combat the continuing economic woes of inflation and unemployment. By the end of his administration, he could claim an increase of nearly eight million jobs and a decrease in the budget deficit, measured in percentage of the gross national product. Unfortunately, inflation and interest rates were at near record highs, and efforts to reduce them caused a short recession.

Carter could point to a number of achievements in domestic affairs. He dealt with the energy shortage by establishing a national energy policy and by decontrolling domestic petroleum prices to stimulate production. He prompted Government efficiency through civil service reform and proceeded with deregulation of the trucking and airline industries. He sought to improve the environment. His expansion of the national park system included protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan lands. To increase human and social services, he created the Department of Education, bolstered the Social Security system, and appointed record numbers of women, blacks, and Hispanics to Government jobs.

In foreign affairs, Carter set his own style. His championing of human rights was coldly received by the Soviet Union and some other nations. In the Middle East, through the Camp David agreement of 1978, he helped bring amity between Egypt and Israel. He succeeded in obtaining ratification of the Panama Canal treaties. Building upon the work of predecessors, he established full diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and completed negotiation of the SALT II nuclear limitation treaty with the Soviet Union.

There were serious setbacks, however. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan caused the suspension of plans for ratification of the SALT II pact. The seizure as hostages of the U. S. embassy staff in Iran dominated the news during the last 14 months of the administration. The consequences of Iran’s holding Americans captive, together with continuing inflation at home, contributed to Carter’s defeat in 1980. Even then, he continued the difficult negotiations over the hostages. Iran finally released the 52 Americans the same day Carter left office.

Jimmy_Carter

But, of course, none of that is why people who love beer will celebrate Jimmy Carter. Carter, of course signed H.R. 1337 on October 14, 1978. That was the bill that finally legalized homebrewing. And while you can argue that it was really senator Alan Cranston who deserves the lion’s share of the credit, after all he added the specific language to the bill that made homebrewing okay again, it’s generally Carter who’s best remembered for having signed the bill into law. At least outside of California, anyway, where many people know that it was Amendment 3534, drafted by Cranston, that homebrewing was decriminalized.

Still, I think it’s fair to give Carter some of the credit, and thanks him for signing the bill allowing homebrewing again into law. I’m not sure Reagan would have signed it. See also, Tom Cizauskas’ What will President Jimmy Carter be remembered for? and KegWorks’ How Jimmy Carter Sparked the Craft Beer Revolution.

jimmycarter

And finally, here’s Michael Jackson, in an 2004 interview, talking about the importance of Carter signing the homebrewing bill into law.

jimmy-crdt-sean-mckinney
Jimmy Carter, by Sean Marlin McKinney.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun, Politics & Law Tagged With: Georgia, History, Homebrewing, Politics

Beer Birthday: John Pinkerton

August 16, 2022 By Jay Brooks

moon-river
Today is also the 53rd birthday of John Pinkerton, founder and brewmaster of Moon River Brewing in Savannah, Georgia. He also brews some terrific beers and is great fun to drink a beer or three with. In addition, he helped to found the Georga Craft Brewers Guild and is its current president. Join me in wishing John a very happy birthday.

wbfnc08-09
At All About Beer’s “World Beer Festival” in Durham, North Carolina in 2008.

pinkerton-hops
John getting showered with hops at the “Me So Hoppy Lupulin Slam” at the Falling Rock during GABF in 2005.

Filed Under: Birthdays Tagged With: Georgia, Southern States

Beer Birthday: Bob Townsend

June 2, 2022 By Jay Brooks

ajc
Today is also the birthday of Atlanta Journal-Constitution beer columnist Bob Townsend. Although he wouldn’t tell me how old he is when I met him in Boston several years ago, I suspect it’s because he’s even older than me. Regardless, we hit it off immediately; kindred souls, to be sure, and have since traveled together on numerous press junkets. Join me in wishing Bob a very happy birthday.

longshot09-2
Judging the finals of the Longshot homebrew competition in 2009, with Tony Forder on the left, Bob in the middle and me at the far end.

longshot09-4
After judging the finals for the Longshot Homebrew Competition in Boston. From left: Jason Alstrom (from Beer Advocate), Tony Forder (from Ale Street News), Bob, Jim Koch (founder of the Boston Beer Co.), yours truly, Julie Johnson (from All About Beer magazine), and Todd Alstrom (also from Beer Advocate).

DSC_8348
Derek Buono (from Beer: The Magazine) and Bob during a press junket in Belgium a few years ago.

DSC_7939i
At Bosteels during the same Belgian trip. Bob is in the back mid-way on the right.

Filed Under: Birthdays Tagged With: Atlanta, Georgia, Southern States

Mitch Steele’s New Atlanta Brewery Has A Name: New Realm Brewing

March 16, 2017 By Jay Brooks

new-realm
As you probably knew, former Stone Brewing’s head brewer, and one-time AB brewer, Mitch Steele, is opening a new brewery, which will be located in Atlanta. The official business name from the beginning has been the purposely generic American Beerworks LLC, a placeholder while they worked on the actual name the business will operate under. Today they made it official. The new brewery will be called “New Realm Brewing.”

new-realm

Here’s more information from the press release that was issued this morning:

Combining a collective passion for craft beer, partners Mitch Steele, Carey Falcone and Bob Powers will bring a “New Realm” to Atlanta’s brewing community later this year. The trio announced their new venture in the Atlanta Beltline area in the fall of last year and has spent many hours coming up with the appropriate name to suit it.

“We could not be more thrilled to announce our name, New Realm,” said Carey Falcone Co-Founder and CEO. “It has taken us quite a bit of time (over many beers, of course) to create our vision and land on the right name for our future brewery and restaurant. New Realm speaks to our desire to create a new realm in brewing and dining experiences, and to support an outstanding and dynamic local craft beer community.”

At the core of New Realm Brewing is Co-Founder, Brewmaster and COO, Mitch Steele formerly Brewmaster for 10 years at Stone Brewing. Steele, referred by many as an authority on brewing IPA’s, has decades of experience developing and brewing innovative and delicious beers. Steele authored a book in 2012 titled, “IPA: Brewing Techniques, Recipes and the Evolution of India Pale Ale.” Currently Steele is busy developing recipes and has shared that craft fans can “count on IPAs being poured at New Realm as well as barrel-aged beers and traditional lagers”.

New Realm Brewing will break ground soon in preparation to open the 20,000 square foot space located at 820 Ralph McGill Avenue in the growing Beltline area. “Plans are underway to bring Atlanta and its visitors a distinctive venue to enjoy craft beer and great artisanal foods in an inviting, unique and fun atmosphere,” said Bob Powers Co-Founder and CCO. “In addition to our production brewery, we will have a restaurant, as well as both a rooftop bar and an outdoor beer garden at New Realm and we look forward to unveiling design plans in the near future.”

Mitch, Carey, Bob skyline
New Realm Owners Mitch Steele, Carey Falcone and Bob Powers in front of the Atlanta skyline.

Filed Under: Breweries, News Tagged With: Announcements, Atlanta, Georgia

Beer In Ads #2121: Foam Christmas Tree

December 10, 2016 By Jay Brooks


Saturday’s holiday ad is for Natakhtari, a brewery in the Republic of Georgia, from 2014. It was founded in 1991, but was bought by the Turkish brewery Efes in 2008. In this ad, a very simple one, a nearly empty glass on a red background, and the residual beer foam left behind is in the shape of a Christmas tree.

Natakhtari-2014

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers Tagged With: Advertising, Christmas, Georgia, History, Holidays

Republic Of Georgia Beer

April 9, 2012 By Jay Brooks

georgia-new
Today in 1991, Georgia gained their Independence from the USSR.

Republic of Georgia
georgia-color

Georgia Breweries

  • Kaiser Brau
  • Lomisi Brewery
  • Natakhtari Brewery

Georgia Brewery Guides

  • Beer Advocate
  • Beer Me
  • Rate Beer

Other Guides

  • CIA World Factbook
  • Official Website
  • U.S. Embassy
  • Wikipedia

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.03% or 0.02%

Georgia

  • Full Name: Republic of Georgia
  • Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Georgian (official) 71%, Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%
  • Religion(s): Orthodox Christian (official) 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7%
  • Capital: Tbilisi
  • Population: 4,570,934; 123rd
  • Area: 69,700 sq km, 121st
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than South Carolina
  • National Food: Khachapuri, Khinkali
  • National Symbols: Five red crosses, Kartlis Deda
  • Affiliations: UN, Commonwealth of Independent States
  • Independence: From the USSR, April 9, 1991 / From Soviet Russia, May 26, 1918

georgia-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 16
  • BAC: 0.03%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 17

GeorgiaPNew-10Lari-2002-donatedsrb_f

  • How to Say “Beer”: ლუდი
  • How to Order a Beer: N/A
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Gagimardschoss / Gaumardschoss
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

georgia-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 18%
  • Wine: 20%
  • Spirits: 62%
  • Other: <1%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 3.90
  • Unrecorded: 2.50
  • Total: 6.40
  • Beer: 0.76

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 3.9 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Places
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 2

Prohibition: None

georgia-eu

Filed Under: Beers, Breweries Tagged With: Asia, Europe, Georgia

Georgia Beer

January 2, 2011 By Jay Brooks

ga
Today in 1788, Georgia became the 4th state.

Georgia

State_Georgia

Georgia Breweries

  • Atlanta Brewing
  • Blue Ridge Brewery
  • Blue Tarp Brewing
  • Cannon Brewpub
  • Copper Creek Brewing
  • Five Seasons Brewing
  • Max Lager’s Brewery
  • Monday Night Brewing
  • Moon River Brewing
  • New River Brewing
  • Old Savannah Brewing
  • Park Tavern Brewpub
  • Reformation Brewery
  • Sweetwater Brewing
  • Terrapin Beer Co.
  • Texas Cattle Co.
  • Twain’s Billiards & Tap
  • Wild Heaven Craft Beers
  • Wrecking Ball Brewpub

Georgia Brewery Guides

  • Beer Advocate
  • Beer Me
  • Rate Beer

Guild: Georgia Brewers Guild [No website.]

State Agency: Georgia Alcohol and Tobacco Division

maps-ga

  • Capital: Atlanta
  • Largest Cities: Atlanta, August, Columbus, Savannah, Athens
  • Population: 8,186,453; 10th
  • Area: 59441 sq.mi., 24th
  • Nickname: The Peach State
  • Statehood: 4th, January 2, 1788

m-georgia

  • Alcohol Legalized: May 23, 1935
  • Number of Breweries: 22
  • Rank: 23rd
  • Beer Production: 5,596,058
  • Production Rank: 10th
  • Beer Per Capita: 16.4 Gallons

Package Mix:

  • Bottles: 37.8%
  • Cans: 55.6%
  • Kegs: 6.5%

Beer Taxes:

  • Per Gallon: $0.48
  • Per Case: $1.08
  • Tax Per Barrel (24/12 Case): $14.88
  • Draught Tax Per Barrel (in Kegs): $10.00

georgia

Economic Impact (2008):

  • From Brewing: $1,300,853,614
  • Direct Impact: $2,699,329,013
  • Supplier Impact: $2,293,594,311
  • Induced Economic Impact: $1,398,800,452
  • Total Impact: $6,391,723,776

Legal Restrictions:

  • Control State: No
  • Sale Hours: Hours of sale determined by county. No alcohol sales on Sunday (although restaurant/bar sales allowed). No alcohol sales on Christmas Day.
  • Grocery Store Sales: Yes
  • Notes: ABV > 14% ABV cap on beer
    No Sunday off-premises sales

    In general, one may not be drunk in public. Though there is no state law prohibiting drinking in public, most municipal corporations and political subdivisions limit the possession of open containers of alcohol to private property, with one notable exception being Savannah. Public drunkenness is only warranted when one is drunk in public and his acts are either loud or disorderly.

georgia-map

Data complied, in part, from the Beer Institute’s Brewer’s Almanac 2010, Beer Serves America, the Brewers Association, Wikipedia and my World Factbook. If you see I’m missing a brewery link, please be so kind as to drop me a note or simply comment on this post. Thanks.

For the remaining states, see Brewing Links: United States.

Filed Under: Beers, Breweries Tagged With: Georgia

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